Change a young life in Sutton - become a foster carer

Have you ever considered foster caring?

Could you give your time and support to a young person who needs a safe and caring pair of hands while they find a forever home?

Becoming a foster carer is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, things you can ever do in your life. Giving a child or young person a loving home and helping them thrive under your care is a priceless gift.

Sutton Council is beginning a new foster care recruitment campaign this October, hoping to inspire people to think twice about fostering - and to take the step of registering to become one.

Councillor Marian James, Chair of Sutton’s People Committee, said: “We urgently need more foster carers in Sutton - do you think you could help shape a young person’s life, to offer them a settled and loving environment where they can thrive? Our fostering team offers first-rate support to our foster carers, and we don’t rule anyone out - everyone’s individual circumstances are considered. 

“Please take a moment to consider - could you become a foster carer?”

Find out what some of our fostering families and children think about foster care:

“When we first started fostering we had three siblings come to us, the youngest being three and the oldest being eight. Their lives started to change and they engaged with our birth children and it is such a joy to look back and see them now as young adults with their own lives, now in university.”

“When you see children who didn’t have much hope because they didn’t have any guidance, and see how they can be encouraged to make changes in their lives and through support achieve their full potential, whatever that may be - it is wonderful.”

Benefits of fostering in Sutton:

• Regular support from an allocated supervising social worker 
• Out of hours support from the Emergency Duty Team
• Access to a comprehensive training package
• Opportunities to develop a network of support with other foster carers through support groups and social events
• Free membership with the Fostering Network
• Opportunity to be mentored by long standing foster carers in your first year of fostering
• Generous allowance and fee package

Hear from Ross who has fostered 28 children!; how Amy embraced new foster siblings; Ethan who is 21 and has been with his foster family for 10 years - and more inspiring stories on our YouTube channel - then you decide!

We are hosting a number of virtual drop-in sessions for potential foster carers to find out more - please visit www.fosteringinsutton.gov.uk for more details and to register to attend one.